It's time to start researching judicial contests on the Nov. 6 ballot. Endorsements by the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer are one place to start. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com, File, 2017)

Whoever wins election for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judgeship that commences Jan. 9, the retirement -- because of Ohio's judicial age limits -- of Judge Carolyn B. Friedland after 30 years on the bench guarantees a fresh face in that role.

Vying to replace Friedland are Democrat Emily Hagan, 40, who spent a decade as staff attorney for Common Pleas Judge Michael P. Donnelly before taking on the role of an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor in June; and Republican Brian Darling, 45, an attorney who since 2008 has worked primarily in criminal defense - the last seven with his own firm, Darling Duffy of North Olmsted.

Hagan, the Democratic primary winner, comes from a well-known political family and is the niece of former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Tim Hagan. She ran unsuccessfully for state senate two years ago, but says the judiciary has become her true passion.

Darling said he's not worried about the name game. Of his own name, he said, "it's a good name, it's a funny name, it's got its own story," but said he preferred to concentrate on his experience in the well of the courtroom and his intention to make the court more fair and accessible and less frightening for the people who pass through it.

The "Judge4Yourself" ratings from four local bar associations rated Darling "good," while three rated Hagan "adequate" and one, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, rated her "not recommended" - a rating that "shocked" her.

It's difficult to assess the credibility of this rating since the bar groups decline to offer their reasons for specific candidate ratings. Hagan by all accounts is a competent and well-respected attorney.

We believe either Hagan or Darling would make a good judge, but in a close call, we rate Darling as the better choice, based on his wide-ranging trial experience and his friendly, outgoing demeanor.

Early in-person and absentee voting for the Nov. 6 election begins Oct. 10. For more resources on judicial races, besides Judge4Yourself, consult Judicial Votes Count at the University of Akron and the League of Women Voters' voters' guide.

Lawyers Emily Hagan and Brian Darling, candidates for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge, Jan. 9 term, were interviewed by the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer as part of its endorsement process on Aug. 27, 2018. Listen to full audio of the interview below:

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